It's Only Rock'n Roll
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It's Only Rock'n Roll |
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Stones
NEWS |
Tell Me Forum |
Hackney Diamonds |
Tour 2024 |
Mick Jagger |
Keith Richards |
Charlie Watts |
Ronnie
Wood |
Band 2
Tim Ries |
The set list
Show start : 8:20 pm Show end : 10:30 pm |
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It was great to hear Mick declare that the tour began in Boston because it was "A champion city", citing the Patriots and Red Sox. It was amusing that after the Boston tribute the Stones kicked into the New York City song Shatttered (though with the set up "my brain's been splattered", the punch line "All over Manhattan" was replaced with repeated "Shatttered"s).
A major notable was the 4 new songs in the setlist, compared to the Babylon tour where we gingerly began with the lone ?"Anybody Seen My Baby". This was key to the evening and to the future expectation of the tour, enabling Voodoo Lounge selections and Out of Control seem "classic". Rough Justice was indeed a bit rough, but gave us something to look forward to as we see it develop within the set. Back of My Hand was for me the night's best song, with Mick playing slide. As much of a pleasure as it was on prior tours to hear Mick interact via harmonica with Keith and his guitar on songs like Out of Control, Can't You Hear Me Knocking, and Midnight Rambler, it was special to hear Mick play guitar on Back of My Hand. Mick's interaction with Keith was like nothing I have seen before, like he and Keith were two musicians on a street corner. Ron Wood fully subscribed to this, sitting back near Charlie, raising his hands to show he was not playing, letting Keith and Mick go at it on the blues guitar duet. During the song I could not help but check my memory, thinking "Where is this from"? Did they play it at the Checkerboard in 1981? Is it from John Lee Hooker? Is it from Robert Johnson??. No, it was brand new Stones, working fresh and well received by the Fenway crowd. If it is this good before we get the new album, it will be that much better once we gain some familiarity.
The obvious ingenious idea of the night, completely unexpected by those of us not thinking of how to streamline stadium rock shows, was the way the stage moved out into the crowd like a huge file drawer while the band played Miss You. No more interruption for the walk to the small stage, this was broadband smooth as the band played while the stage rolled into the crowd, then delivering Oh No, Not You Again (the Lincoln Center version was rougher and more powerful I am told), and Satisfaction.
We were able to upgrade to near the stage on the morning of the show, and it provided a unique perspective as we were near the handicap section, in sight of a woman softly illuminated, signing the show for the deaf. It was interesting to see the words "I know it's only rock'n'roll" in sign language, making me think that after 10 or 20 more shows, or after good iPod headphones, or after standing next to speakers in the "On Stage" seats, that curiosity may become necessity. On that subject, keep your field seats and DO NOT trade them for stadium "On Stage" seats, they are too high and removed compared to behind stage arena seats during early 1998 or the No Security Tour in 1999.
In conclusion, this show was especially encouraging with 4 new songs, an adventurous Ray Charles cover (with Keith providing blistering guitar solos), relatively recent songs packaged as old favorites, and then the usual layer of career spanning classics done with pride and enthusiasm which made them fresh. This is no 40 Licks retrospective from two years ago, this is a band asking for a chance to prove itself anew, willing to play and be judged in the moment. That purpose and direction makes me recall the 1978 King Biscuit recordings where Mick sheepishly asks people to check out Beast of Burden, Miss You, and Shattered. With 4 new songs on opening night, the universe of Rock 'n' Roll/Blues is 4 songs larger, and the world is 4 songs wealthier. In an age where we're being asked not for our money but for our voice, man is it cool where our spirit is being given 4 huge gifts for the price of stepping into Fenway and paying attention.
Lisa Fisher was amazing singing with Mick on Ray Charles's "Night Time". Lisa sang with real soul, and gave me chills. She is very cool.
When Keith was introduced he came to the center of the stage & saw just how many fans were wearing Stones tees, hats, jackets etc. and he quipped "Glad I get a cut of the tee shirts..." Very funny.
Mick gave Arnold Schwarzenegger a bit of a jab for holding a campaign fundraiser at the concert. Something about Arnold hawking tickets and tee shirts in the parking lot for the Republican Party. There was no doubt who the stars were, and who they were there to see. Arnold can draw a crowd, but the Stones draw a bigger bang...
On the B-Stage - Mick tries to take off his jacket and his arms get stuck in the sleeves. He gets Ronnie's attention with "Give us a hand will you?" and Ronnie helps him pull off the jacket.
The concert was unreal. I have seen them in Boston, NYC & New Jersey several times over the past 15 years and this was hands down the best show I have ever seen!
Their show at Fenway Park marked only the third time a rock act has played the hallowed baseball stadium in recent years, and guitarist Keith Richards thanked city officials for approving "us rascals."
Singer Mick Jagger also acknowledged the presence of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who used the event as a fundraising opportunity. Jagger joked that he saw the Hollywood star scalping t-shirts and tickets. Singer Carly Simon was also in the audience.
The Stones are touring in support of their album, "A Bigger Bang," which comes out in the United States on Sept. 6, and a day earlier internationally. They played four songs from the Virgin Records release, including the blues track "Back of My Hand," which gave a Jagger a rare chance to shine strumming bottleneck lead guitar.
As with past tours, the show began with their 1981 anthem "Start Me Up." Jagger, Richards, drummer Charlie Watts and guitarist Ron Wood took to a giant stage that resembled the curved exterior of the Guggenheim Museum in New York, and included four levels. On the first two levels stood about 200 fans, who got a great view of the crowd if not of the band.
Noting that the Stones also opened their 2002/03 "Licks" world tour in Boston, Jagger pandered to the audience by describing it as "a champion city," and cited its teams' recent successes on the baseball and football fields.
The band dusted off relative rarities, such as "Beast of Burden," "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)," "Shattered," and "She's So Cold," which they have not played in America since 1981. After Jagger claimed that the Stones played Ray Charles songs in their early days, the band commemorated the late "Genius of Soul" by playing "(Night Time is) The Right Time."
Midway through the set, they ventured out into the middle of the field for four songs. In the past they would walk along a ramp to a custom-rigged small stage. This time, all they had to do was stand on the main stage, as a large portion snapped off and carried them above the crowd. They performed two crowdpleasers, "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" and "Honky Tonk Women" in this intimate setting.
Richards got his traditional two songs, performing the 1994 country ballad "The Worst" and the new track "Infamy," a witty pun on the line "You've got it in for me." The two other new songs in the set were the U.S. radio single "Rough Justice" and "Oh No, Not You Again."
Overall, the show portrayed the Stones in a stripped-down light, with the back-up singers spending less time on stage, and theatrics limited to a rather puny tongue-shaped inflatable. Wood played lead on many of the songs, including "You Got Me Rocking" and "Out of Control," while Richards emerged from the shadows to stalk the stage on "Sympathy for the Devil."
Near the end, during "Brown Sugar," a shirtless young man jumped onto stage from backstage and started strumming a broom. The band's security was unaware of the incursion until alerted by back-up singer Blondie Chaplin. The fan was eventually bundled off after a brief chase, and it did not appear any of the Stones noticed.
After the two-song encore -- "You Can't Always Get What You Want" and "It's Only Rock 'n' Roll" -- the Stones treated the crowd to a fireworks show while they sped from the venue. They return on Tuesday for another sold-out show, and then head to Hartford, Conn. and then over to Ottawa and Detroit.
I pray I have that much energy and life in me when I reach my mid-60s! THIS is rock �n roll!!! Right from the start with �Start Me Up�, Mick was doing his gyrating, hypermanic thing for 2 hours straight, dancing all around the huge stage that spanned the Fenway outfield. I was in the 11th row, right of center, in front of the handicap section (similar to one of the other reviewers), and the sound was fantastic. I didn�t think there was a slow spot in the entire show. Keith, Ron and Charlie all were on fire, and all looked as if they were having as much fun as we were. They had a sensational cast of musicians on stage, including Chuck Leavall (formerly with Little Feat) on keyboards, an entire horn section (blistering sax on tunes like Tumbling Dice and Brown Sugar), and a group of backup singers (Lisa Fischer and 2 others) who were absolutely incredible on the Ray Charles song "The Night time is the Right Time", and the encore "You Can't Always Get What You Want". The setlist was a gem with a fine mix of some of their greatest oldies (Satisfaction, Sympathy for the Devil, Jumpin� Jack Flash), more recent material (Heartbreaker, Beast of Burden., Miss You, She�s So Cold, Out of Control), and some of their soon-to-be-released tunes (unfamiliar, but nice sound) - all played with intense passion. Some of the more surprising highlights included Mick playing lead slide guitar on his new blues tune �Back of my hand�, Keith�s solo on �The Worst�, and Keith (without Mick) leading the new tune "Infamy". All the theatrical effects were entertaining, but best of all, the music was superb! I wish I could get a recording of this show�
Do not miss this tour!!
Black-Eyed Peas produced a reasonable set as support - neatly inviting the fans to "...honour The Rolling Stones by standing up...." - it worked, well it would, wouldn't it.
And then to the reason we were all here.....an hour after the support act the stadium is suddenly enveloped in darkness. A momentary silence, and then the tension of expectation, the whoops of aniticpated delight build to a crescendo.....red illumination to the right of stage, shadowy figures moving in that area...the tension increases as we wait.....the video now in action and then bang! Keith centre-stage - Start Me Up belts through the sound system, Mick emerges to a thunderbolt of noise from the fans and the Stones have lit the blue touch paper again.... all is well with the world.
Great show - highlights for me a storming She's So Cold, a quite fabulous rendition of The Night Time is the Right Time brilliantly duetted by Lisa Fischer - delivering in a style reminiscent at times of a passionate and powerful religious preacher.
The standards were first rate - the encore's last song It's Omly Rock n Roll particularly well played.
Energetic throughout, brimming with the self-confidence that borders on arrogance, showmanship to the fore Mick was on top form. Indeed so were the whole band - keen to set the marker on opening night.
And moreover with five songs not previously played in a show it underscores the Stones versatility and willingness to test themselves on the biggest stage - they passed with the proverbial flying colours.
For my part I'd taken a plane on Friday from the UK - no ticket for the show, lots of hope and plenty of anticipation. Saturday - ticket, anticipation and expectation increase sevenfold. Come Sunday and the show..........the Stones deliver time and time again, they do not disappoint. Augurs well for the dates ahead.
Just a few notes before I review the setlist.
1. The guitars were high in the mix for the 1st time in years. I was very pleased.
2. Ron Wood was on fire - he played awesome, Mick kept telling him to get up to the front of the stage. This was his night.
3. The new album songs rocked. Very surprised to get 4
4. I sat on the floor in section A6 and had a great view of everything. Sound was incredible.
5. It looked to me the the On Stage seats would be very good. I'll be interested to hear what those folks have to say.
6. For an opening night they were very polished. Much more so than the Licks opener at the Fleet Center.
7. During Brown Sugar someone came on stage and was faking playing guitar with a broom stick, he was there for quite awhile before being reomed from the stage (very scarry) minutes later as Mick was far left on the stage this same person came from underneath the scaffolding and tried jumping back on the front of the stage, he was then agressivly escorted out of the park.
Now on to the setlist:
1. Start Me Up - great opener - the video screen was pretty awesome. It reminded me alot of B2B opener - several explosions before Keith actually cranked it up.
2. You Got Me Rockin - another great rocker - crowd was into it.
3. Shattered - very nicely done
4. Tumblin Dice - I love this song, great version, not too long just right
5. Rough Justice - awesome, boy did they rock on this
6. Back of my Hand - very happy they had this in the setlist - I thought they would save this for the arenas. Unbeliavable guitar inter play between Ron and Mick. Just agreat one two puch with two new songs in a row.
7. Beast of Burden - another favorite of mine. The crowd was really into this one.
8. She's So Cold - they absolutelly scorched this one. Awesome version
9. Heartbreaker - nice version, good to see it back in the setlist
10. Night Time (Ray Charles cover) - unreal version, this one brought the house down. Extended version, Lisa's singing was unreal on this one. What range she has.
Intros - this was very quick - of course Charlie got the best response.
11. The Worst (Keith) - nice touch. Very nice too see Bernard come up front and sing this with Keith
12. Infamy (Keith) - a great new signature rocker for Keith. I loved it.
13. Miss You Main stage moves out to B-Stage area during Miss You - great version - neat to see the B stage move out to the infield. Mick wore a headset microphone which I think is a first.
14. Oh No, Not You Again - great rocker, much better than the press conference. Loved it.
15. Satisfaction - great version - they were smoking
16. Honky Tonk Woman Stage moves back to front during HTW - always nice to hear this one. Cool inflatable touge came out of video screen on this one.
17. Out of Control - Great version, the crowd loved it. Great video screen displays.
18. Sympathy for the Devil - smoke this one, everyone was singing. Fire coming out of the top of the stage. I had to check several times to make sure I still had eyebrows, it was hot.
19. Jumpin Jack Flash - Ron & Keith were incredible on the guitars. How can you not love this one.
20. Brown Sugar - crowd favorite. I love it when they put they house lights on and seeing everyone going Ya Ya Ya Hoo. Super version Encore
21. You Can't Always Get What You Want - I was wondering what they might play for an encore. I saw Charlie take his seat and they Tim far right so I knew we were getting this one. A great sing along. Loved it.
22. Its Only Rock n Roll - I was surprised at this for the last song - they really jammed on this one. Very good but would Street Fighting Man be better ? I don't know, I'm sure for the stadiums this is the one.
As I'm sure you can tell, I loved the show. I thought the might break out and oldie but I'm sure the setlist will change over the next month or so. Ronnie's play was just awesome, it was his night. Keith was very quite the 1st half of the show. He seemed to get into the groove after his songs. And Mick is Mick what more can be said about him, he definately is the greatest frontman in the history of Rock N Roll.
God Bless The Rolling Stones - thanks for coming out on the road one more time.
We were in Boston on Thursday and Friday and we enjoyed two great nights of music for the rehearsals. The sound outside Fenway was awesome. We heard abouty 8 songs on Thursday and about 15 on Friday. We could tell the boys were working hard to get it right. They played a couple of songs twice. The best part of being there for the opening night is.... to hear the bonus sets before the show.
After 2 long years, to hear the Stones rolling through their hits again, was spectacular. I live in Kansas City, and there is no radio play. The first time I heard "Rough Justice" was while sipping a beer across from Fenway park on Friday night. It gives me a chill to type that. :) PLUS... I know I can trust the glimmer twins to never make a Chevy commercial out of that memory. Speaking of meories...Before the show on Sunday they played a spectaular version of memory motel. (chills again:)
Boston is a funny town. The fued beteen Arnold and the Mass govenor is funny. The "sound police" with their listening devices making sure the sound outside of Fenway NEVER got louder than 70 db. is funny. The way the Red Sox would not allow any seating on the diamond was odd. Everyone said there is not a bad seat in the house, but the stands are way too far back, considering the stage in in the outfield.
We bought section B4 on the field, and these were fine seats. When the stage slid back we were right there. But when we walked through the stands, at beer time, and I felt sorry for the folks "way back there".
My highlight of the night was "out of control". I was hoping for "Saint", but OOC was a real treat.
My last opening night was in Chicago a couple of tours ago. That night the boys were very flat. Last night the boys were on their game, as if they were in mid-tour. Keith did not cut through the Sympathy lead, but other wise he was great.
Listening to Ronnie and keith weave "that sound" is my favorite part of a Rolling Stones show . The meshing of their two guitars is perfect. So sweet. There is nothing else like it, and last night it was perfect.
Miss Q's: there were a few as expected on opening night. There was one glaring one at the end of a song, I'm sorry its late I forget which song but some one will post it I'm sure. SFTD started out kinda F$%*^D up by they recovered.
Low Lights: I had two earlier posts this week in Tell me about how I dislike Shattered and She's so cold. I still Stand By this I hate them both. Shattered was written for Alvin and the Chipmunks and as I mentioned in my earlier post the crowd reaction was Huh. She's so cold Bubble gum song. The worst well was the worst.
High Lights: I am not a big fan of Heartbreaker live but I loved it tonight played Strong and tight great lights. This behemoth of a stage was made for Out of Control and they performed it awesome. Beast of Burden (Great) Rough Justice and Oh no not you again these two were pissa. Infamy I really liked it. I think Rough Justice was the start of the salvation of this show.
Sound: Awesome from my seats they were loud and clear. In my opinion maybe the best acoustics they have ever had.
Main Stage: For a stadium show I want a monster and it was. I am a bells and whistle type guy, I love smoke and lasers and the Monster had em all. Out of all the big stages during the past tours I love this by far the best Very innovative and cutting edge. Indoors I loved the 1981 tattoo you and 1999 no security stages.
The B stage: My only complaint use to be that the sound was always different than the Main stage not as loud or clear etc. The Boys have cured this the B stage no longer has its own set of a smaller speaker system. It is connected to the Main stage speaker system what a world of difference absolutely awesome sound.
Best Surprise: Surprise surprise surprise!!!!!! NO more walking out to the B stage. As the boys started playing Miss you on the Main stage Charlie's Drumset started moving forward to the front. When it got to the edge a big section of the main stage lifted up and started moving down the field as they were playing and it gently slid into second base. Honky tonk was played as the B Stage slid back to the main Stage. The crowd loved the whole procedure myself included.
Weird surprise: I could be wrong and correct if I am. I think this was the first time Mick has ever employed a head set microphone. I cannot recall. I thought he was going to bring out some of Madonna's dancers.
Light Show: As mentioned earlier I Love bells and whistles and I always thought the Stones coordinated their lights with the music better than anybody. Tonight was no exception. Heartbreaker, SFD, Awesome. Out of control, the Best.
Crowd participation: On all the War horses and the new songs RJ & ONNYA excellent. I was upset that Out of control did not get a better response. I mean on Bridges to Babylon and No Security tours when this song was new the crowd went wild everytime I saw it performed. Overall Very good
My seats : I was 4 rows from the field in left Very good as close as you could get without being on the field. I mean I paid $163.00 and could talk to people on the field that paid $450.00. I'll chalk up one in the win column for me. Left field seats are better than right for this stage. At Bruce Shitsteen it was opposite.
Onstage seats: I am sitting in them Tuesday and from what I saw I don't like it at all but I will reserve judgment until I sit there. They are located up in the Structure two tiers on each side. It looks like your sitting in an arena Balcony seat with a side view only of the stage. Some positions it looks like you are obstructed by steele and lighting fixtures. I do hope I am wrong and somebody who sat there will post an awesome report about the experience but I do have my doubts. Some one posted earlier today " I think you will be looking at the tops of their heads. " I think they hit the nail right on the head because that's what it looked like from my angle. This was somewhat of a scam though. It was advertised as on stage seating when it should have been On stage Balcony seating because that's exactly what it is. These should have been $100 seats at the most . Somebody who sat they please tell me it was awesome and erase my doubts.
Conclusion: Not my wishlist setlist but there were some gems. I think every show needs the real classic warhorses JJF BS SATISFACTION HTW but IORR, MY, & YGMR are not at the same stature and can be easily replaced. Some girls could have replaced Miss you But we have been over this a thousand times on the Tell Me pages since the tour was announced so it is what it is. What they did play I thought was played awesome. I think the masses will rave about it. I know all the deep thinking Julliard types will critique this show about missed cords and low volume riffs how it does not have the scrappy raw energy the 1972 Australian tour had and all that shit. They are in their 60's so cut them a little slack like I have on my setlist wishes. Iam coming up on my 40th show since 1975 so any time I see the BOYS I am elated. So I will give an it an A -.
Yesterday, I saw a great show at Fenway Park, I'm still rockin' from it. Feeels Sooo Gooood! The Stones opened with Start Me Up but what's more, the opening minutes were spectacular thanks to the lightning and a big bang.
I was amazed of the energy that Ron Wood had during the first part of the concert, he really rocked Fenway as well as all other Stones. The surprise songs of the opening night were She's so cold and Heartbreaker. I went already to the rehearsel on Friday where I heard the new Keith tune and this song fits very well the setlist as well as the other three new songs. The B-Stage is a nice thing and all the audience at the back were jumping around when the Stones arrived at the very back. During an afterparty, I always hear those crap remarks as, why didn't the played this or that but good morning guys, The Stones will release a new album, they've showed that the are still the greatest and let's thank the bigger bang that everything went good for Charlie last year who had red socks on yesterday.
Past opening nights have brought a lot more 'debut' songs, both new and old at the time, than this one.
When recaping major highlights, I have to start with "The Night Time Is The Right Time". The only song of the entire 2 hour 10 minutes set that had not been performed before an audience somewhere. Incredible energy and the entire group on stage seemed totally into it.
Maybe it's because it was the song that probably required the most concentration (being the only debut song) and it had everybody ready. Maybe it was the fun of the band doing this amazing soul + driving blues combination. Or Lisa totally belting out her part while totally driving it home. But it will be hard for even the Stones to top this version if and when it comes up again in the set list.
Out of Control came out especially well, especially the last part with Mick's all too brief driving harmonica spot to wrap it up. I loved the live version during the B2B tour way better than the studio version (as I did with most of the Bridges album tracks), but was disappointed with the NS tour version in '99. This version went back to the '97/'98 versions, with a bit more of a funky backing thrown in. Even if the timing wasn't perfect throughout, this one could be a keeper. I could tell it would be a winner from hearing it during the soundcheck from outside of Fenway.
As for the hits, I thought Beast was the most improved version. This version started more true to the studio version than the faster version in '81/'82 and the 'slow motion' version performed during VL, and finished up with a more driven ending, with some extra guitar work and the added "never - never - never - never beeeeee" section and brought an added feel.
If they must play Start Me Up, doing it as the opener is probably the best place. This prevents those times when a much stronger opener (such as JJF in '99 and SFM on Licks) sometimes gets "lost" when the sound isn't adjusted properly. This makes a better opportunity for the more serious fan to do some observing and get ready for the show.
Shattered, a tune I have always enjoyed more live than the studio, seemed just a bit too "business like", but, like just about everything else, came off quite polished.
The first 2 newer songs, Rough Justice and Back of My Hand, each had a rough spot or two, but came off solid...but admittedly not quite with the punch of the versions at the Phoenix gig. Maybe I was expecting a bit more because of the first 4 hits being songs the Stones don't have to concentrate on as much. Still, these are both quality songs and I'm hoping these both stay on the set list.
She's So Cold was also very solid and seemed to be very well received. You would think they have done this one hundreds of times, rather than for the first time since 1982.
Doo Doo Doo Heartbreaker was a pleasant surprise. Only the 2nd time I've ever seen it live, and this was my 51st Stones show in person. Very strong and polished, although it sounded a lot like the way they did it during the stretch of the VL tour, complete with the "sudden" ending at the same point as the VL version. Nice touch that it was more guitar and less of Chuck's keyboards on this version. (Not a knock on Chuck - just that this is not a keyboard song.)
I thought the Keith set was one of his strongest in a long time. The Worst is not one of my top 5 Keith tunes, but this was a solid version. Interesting to see Bernard not only sing along on the chorus throughout the song, but to see Bernard come up and share the microphone with Keith. I'm curious to learn if any of our researchers can name another time when anyone other than Mick or Ronnie shared the same microphone as Keith throughout a song during his set.
Infamy was again a very solid version. Keith seems to really enjoy playing this one. Although, maybe I'm not the best judge of this. I've now heard it 3 times, and those were the Phoenix gig, the sound check, and during this show. I hope the studio version is this good!
Admittedly I had higher hopes for a debut song or something unique when Mick came back out, but we did get the best version of Miss You since the VL tour. The funky part is back in, and this version did not have the slowed down part that dragged it down during the B2B tour and didn't recover for the few playings during Licks.
Oh No Not You Again was performed better than the press conference version, but not quite as energetic as in Toronto. My hunch is that the crowd wasn't into it and the result was that there was not the energy "feed" to the Stones.
Satisfaction picked up toward the end with a too-quick jam that showed Keith finally got into it. Then it seemed like Mick got more into it, but by then it was time to end the song. Still, this one belonged in the opening night set, as it need to be celebrated exactly 40 years after it topped the charts.
Sympathy started off differently than in the past with a much more deliberate drum beat. Had it not been for the red lighting, it would have taken me a few more seconds to recognize it. It started off too slow, and even after Keith's first guitar spot it took too long to reach the intensity level shown on earlier tours. But it's still a treat when done live.
After a more true to form version in Toronto, JJF seems to be going right back to the "usual" stadium or arena version. While well played, it seemed more compact than usual, which could have been due to its rare placement. Could be the first time it was not either the opening song, song going into the encore, or the encore.
The performance of Brown Sugar was more about the song and not the show, at least for opening night. The sax solo was Bobby's finest moment of an otherwise quiet night for him, and the "ya....ya.....ya...wooooooooo"s were kept to a minimum and not extended out. It was played more true to form. And no confetti or flying objects at the end.
YCAGWYW, beginning a rare 2 song encore, had a slightly different twist at the beginning, with a longer and quieter guitar intro from Keith. I didn't hear a french horn or a horn song. It could have been drowned out by the crowd, too low in the mix, or some other reason, but I didn't catch it. And I'd like to have it in there.
To be honest, I was a tad surprised that IORR came up as the finale. It had never been in the encore before. I think I'm so used to it already having been done before that point of the show that I simply forgot. But, as one of the few tunes where I don't feel the live version does justice to the studio version, this was one of the best versions of IORR I've seen or heard.
It may not sound like it, but I am quite pleased with the overall performance quality. This was my 5th tour opener in person, and in a couple of instances, I wasn't nearly as pleased with the performance level as I was last night.
Hopefully we'll get a more varied set list as the tour rolls on......
By 11:30 we scored two tickets behind 1st base $120 value each we got the tickets for $200 for both. Just as excited as my kids the first time they went to Disney World. From the first chords of "Start Me Up" to the the last chords of "Its Only Rock and Roll" they sounded so great full of energy. Don't be surprised if there are cracks in the "Green Monster" after Lisa Fisher sang her part on the Ray Charles song "Night Time" The awsome new tune "Back Of My Hand" is was great to here some blues. How cool is it we had the "The Greatest Rock N' Roll Band" in the world jamming opening night in the city of "Americas Greatest Rock N' Roll Band!
And I get to do it all over again with my wife and kids, family and friends in Hartford CT on Friday!! You won't be disappointed!!!! This is not much of a review but I need to tell the fans there is hope to score tickets if you really want it it will happen.
Thanks for sending all the reports. There will not be space or time for more reports from this show now, but feel free to send reports from the 2nd show on Aug. 23.!
Thanks to Jim Pietryga for the great "final bow" photo,
and also for all other Boston photos Aug. 21 except for the three last ones
for Aug. 21 show. Thanks to Reuters for the three small stage photos Aug. 21.
Thanks to
Carl L�nndahl,
Gunnar Yttri,
H�gne Midjord,
Iris Noelle-Hornkamp,
Jens H�j Eggers,
Jes Jessen,
Joachim Weidelt,
Joelle Bonnet,
Massimo Della Pietra,
Thomas Knutsson and
Thomas Piehl
for news links.
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